After circling for hours 5 miles above the Gulf of Mexico, a small plane whose pilot was apparently incapacitated fell into the water west of the Tampa Bay area, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Thursday. The crash was observed by military jets who had been standing by, unable to help.

Airport check-ins, security check points and heavy luggage are all part of the typical flying experience. For passengers aboard a CanJet 737 at Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, their experience was a bit more intense.